What Is A Veterinary Specialist?

The term veterinary specialist is used to designate an individual that has completed post-graduate residency training in a specific discipline with subsequent successful completion of a competency examination in that specialty.

Specialty areas are approved by the American Veterinary Medical Association's Board of Veterinary Specialties whose mission is: to recognize and encourage the development of recognized veterinary specialty organizations (RVSOs) promote advanced levels of competency in well-defined areas of study or practice categories and to provide the public with exceptional veterinary service.

Each specialty area, or college, is administered by a board consisting of elected members of that specialty. These colleges set rigorous standards for training and approval of residency programs, and oversee the development and administration of competency examinations under guidelines set by the AVMA.

A typical specialty requires four years of undergraduate study followed by four years of veterinary school and then highly competitive admission to specialty training including a one year internship and two to three year residency. At the conclusion of these steps, oral and written exams must be passed.

This process assures the pet owner, that individuals claiming diplomate status in one of the American veterinary specialty colleges have achieved a consistent and high level of expertise in that particular discipline.